Chester May Festival Day 3 Tips
The third and final day of Chester’s May meeting is on Friday and we have the first big stayers’ handicap of the season in the form of the Chester Cup.
It’s one of several competitive handicaps on the card and there’s also the Group 2 Huxley Stakes at 14:35.
We have selections and analysis for all seven races on Friday’s card, including a previous course winner that looks capable of going well again.
13:30 – Chester - Handicap
A competitive opener to Friday’s action with a chance taken on course and distance winner Two Tempting.
He was back to form with a staying-on fourth at Newbury last time in what looked a warm race and he’s only 1lb higher now than his impressive win at this venue last season.
Selection: Two Tempting
14:05 – Chester - Boodles Darley EBF Maiden Stakes
A few in with claims in this trappy maiden but a chance is taken on Orionis for Andrew Balding.
The yard have kicked off this season in fine form and this daughter of Sea The Stars took a sizeable step forward from her debut when winning at Wetherby last time. Conditions are in her favour again and she should both come on for that run and appreciate the step up to this new distance.
Selection: Orionis
14:35 Chester - Ire-Incentive, It Pays To Buy Irish Huxley Stakes
It may be worth chancing Liberty Lane who was on a steep upward curve last season and probably needed his return to action last month.
Expect him to be sharper here and the booking of Ryan Moore catches the eye given that the former Champion Jockey rides this unique track as well as anyone.
Selection: Liberty Lane
15:05 Chester - Chester Cup
This is a typically competitive renewal of Friday’s feature race with a chance taken on last year’s runner-up, Emiyn.
He returns 3lb lower for this renewal and shaped like he was back in form when held up in a steadily run contest at Musselburgh on his return to action, running with credit to be only beaten three lengths.
Selection: Emiyn
15:40 Chester - Precision Facades Handicap
Grey Cuban has had no luck with the draw in this contest out in stall 11 but he may be worth chancing with only one other obvious front-runner in the field.
Hugo Palmer’s four-year-old won twice over course and distance last season and shaped like he retained plenty of his ability when giving the impression that he needed the run on return; expect him to come on for that - and the yard target this meeting.
Selection: Grey Cuban
16:10 Chester - Xenon Workplace Apprentice Handicap
Last year’s winner, Oman, might be worth chancing in the handicap confined to apprentice riders.
He won this from a 9lb lower mark on last season’s return to action with this jockey on board so the absence isn’t a concern. Conditions have come in his favour again and Zak Wheatley is one of the more accomplished riders in the line-up.
Selection: Oman
16:45 Chester - Chester Plate Handicap
The consolation race for the Chester Cup can go the way of Dance Time for David Loughnane.
This stayer went too hard when last of 14 at Lingfield last time out but was on an upward trajectory prior to that run and he’s the type to bounce straight back.
Selection: Dance Time
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Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation